YORK — Turns out those unidentified flying objects spotted in the air at Bruton High are footballs. Yes, Bruton is throwing the football this season — and successfully at that.

The Panthers don't have pass fever, they're not pass happy and given the opportunity to control the clock with the run — as they did in a 42-21 win at Warhill a week ago — they'll do it. But going into Friday's Bay Rivers District game against York (2-2, 2-1), the Panthers (2-2, 1-2) have passed for 561 yards, about 200 more than all of last season.

The result is that the Panthers have restored the balance, and thus the competitiveness, often lacking in their 3-7 season of a year ago. Their versatility should be enough to cause some headaches even for York, whose stellar defense ranks in the top two of the district.

"It's helping to get people out of the box," Panthers coach Tracy Harrod said. "The past two seasons we've had eight or nine men in the box every play because we weren't a threat in the passing game.

"Now because some of them have to get out of the box, it's helping the running game, too."

The surprisingly decisive win over Warhill is a case in point. The Panthers' modest 100 yards through the air still was more than 60 yards better than they were getting on average a year ago.

But after Bruton averaged 216 yards passing the previous two games, its aerial game could not be discounted. The Panthers ran wild on Warhill, netting 328 yards rushing, led by 165 yards and two touchdowns from Kapri Doucet, who had 171 yards receiving and two TDs a week earlier against Poquoson.

"Our confidence is really rising," said Doucet, a 6-foot-2, 213-pound senior who committed recently to play for James Madison University. "The line has come together this season and (quarterback) Bilal Wallace is trusting his keys and receivers.

"He knows when to throw and when not to throw. Last year we weren't really on the same page."

Wallace, a 6-4, 200-pound senior, admits he was often on a different page. After a promising start in leading the way to victories in their first two games of 2011, he guided the Panthers into overtime against district powerhouse Lafayette.

Then one Lafayette player hit him high, another hit him low and he broke his leg while fumbling the ball in overtime. Moments later, Wallace, stretched out in pain on the sideline, heard the Lafayette crowd roar as the Rams scored to win 20-14.

"I wish I'd had that (season) back," Wallace said. "When I came back as a junior, I was a little gun-shy because of the injury, and was unsure how well I could take the licks.

"I don't believe I was mature enough for the job because I let the injury get to me."

Wallace candidly acknowledged a list of mistakes he made as a junior, from poor footwork, to not learning the playbook completely to trying to do too much.

"Bilal was holding onto the ball and waiting for the big play, instead of taking what the defense was giving him," Harrod said. "This year he has a great grasp of the offense, is understanding his reads and getting the ball out quickly to the receivers.

"He's also physically stronger and his footwork is 1,000 percent better."

Credit that to lots of hard work, on both the physical and mental aspects of the game. Before basketball practice last winter — he and Doucet were key players in the Panthers' run to the state quarterfinals — Wallace would sit in Harrod's classroom breaking down plays.

During the summer, he went to several quarterback camps, at which he improved his footwork and timing with receivers, as well as reading defenses. As a result, Wallace — who has completed 44-of-77 passes for 561 yards and six TDs — has forged a strong chemistry with Doucet (14 receptions, 273 yards, five TDs) and sophomore Daniel Jones (13 receptions, 157 yards, TD).

"I love throwing to Kapri, because I know he'll go and get the ball wherever I throw it, even when he's tired," Wallace said. "He's a great deep threat, a great possession receiver and I can always count on him to catch a ball, even in traffic.

"Daniel Jones is a great possession receiver, too."

With the passing game averaging 140 yards, the running game 192 yards and the team scoring 23 points on average, the Panthers are looking to improve, but they are far more balanced than a year ago. And more confident.

"I don't think there's any defense out there that can stop us, as long as we're doing what we're supposed to do," Doucet said.